Here’s how Milwaukee manager Phil Garner sees it:
Breaking the season into sequences of four to five games, if a big-league club plays three or four games well and one game poorly, it’s a second-division team.
That’s because, as Garner explained, “You’re going to be outplayed in two or three of the games in which you played well, and so, at best, you’re 2-3.”
The Brewers finished third in the American League Central last year, two games worse than .500 and 19 1/2 behind the first-place Cleveland Indians. Garner has told his troops there is only one way to advance: Play only one poor game out of every 30.
“If we can do that,” he said, “we’ll be making progress.”
Another Garnerism is worthy of mention.
He believes pennant-winning clubs, in the main, go through three phases on their way to championship caliber.
Phase 1 is the longest and most difficult and requires an apprenticeship of at least three, possibly four years.
“This is the beginning of the development process,” Garner said. “When a player makes a mistake, you pull him aside and explain to him what we’re trying to do. You can’t strike out with the bases loaded. You have to put the ball in play. In the first three years, all you can do is pat them on the back.
“In Phase 2, you have to find out if he can `think’ the game. There is more pressure to produce. I put more pressure on myself. And I expect more from the player. You can’t tolerate poor play. That’s when you have to make decisions. Does he stay or does he go?
“When you’re about to enter Phase 3, you have to go out and spend a lot of money–millions of dollars for the one or two players you still need. Then, in spring training, when a baseball writer comes up to you and asks, `How’s your team?’ I’ll say, `We’d better win this thing.’
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“The White Sox are in Phase 3,” Garner insisted.
He quickly corrected himself.
“This is their third year in Phase 3,” he said. “But something was still missing, and so they went out and picked up Albert Belle. A very expensive but a very good move. Very judicious.”
The small-market Brewers don’t have the financial wherewithal to make a big splash in the free-agent market. Instead, they are trying to improve with trades. In July of last season, they traded Greg Vaughn, one of their strongest hitters, for outfielder Marc Newfield and relief pitchers Bryce Florie and Ron Villone.
“It’s going to be a super deal,” Garner predicted. “The fans will love it this year. And they’ll love it even more next year.”
All three of the acquired players have been around long enough for a sound evaluation. More than likely, they qualify for Phase 2.
Newfield has had only 614 at-bats but has played in parts of five seasons and batted .307 in 49 games with the Brewers last season.
Said coach Bob Melvin: “He’s about to have a breakout year.”
As for Villone and Florie, they are not major-league neophytes. Villone has two years of big-league experience–101 strikeouts in 88 innings. Florie, at 26 a year younger, will be starting his fourth big-league season. Better yet, for the Brewers, there is no hurry. Both are fighting for a spot in the Brewers’ bullpen.
Other late-summer deals brought two more outfielders, Gerald Williams from the Yankees and Jeromy Burnitz from the Indians.
Clearly, the Brewers are loaded with front-liners who are beginning to peak.
First baseman John Jaha, up for two full seasons and parts of three others, hit .300 last year with 34 home runs and 118 RBIs. DH Dave Nilsson is a promising but oft-injured slugger who has played in only 464 games. Shortstop Jose Valentin, a four-year man, is coming off his best season. Third baseman Jeff Cirillo hit .325 last season, his third in the majors. And outfielder Matt Mieske raised his average 27 points to .278 in ’96.
Garner’s pitching staff has a similar history and could have a coming wonder in right-hander Jeff D’Amico, 6-6 last season. D’Amico is only 21 but has remarkable poise–slightly more than one walk for each three innings.
“Nothing bothers him,” said Melvin. “Fluid delivery with a fastball that jumps the last 10 feet.”
Other starters are Ben McDonald, Cal Eldred, Scott Karl and possibly Tim VanEgmond. Mike Fetters (32 saves) and Bob Wickman head up the bullpen.
Beware of the clubs in Phase 2.